Pantone 2015 Color of the Year: Marsala

Every year we have Pantone, a New Jersey corporation best known for its Pantone Matching Systems (PMS), declare the “Color of the Year” for the upcoming annum during the month of December. Twice a year the company hosts secret meeting during which time the upcoming year’s famed hue of choice is decided on. Normally colors are chosen at least 12-18 months beforehand, after which the results are published in a special magazine, called the Pantone View, and sold to designers, florists and others in the consumer business for whom the color palettes of the upcoming year is essential. While we have already discussed all the hottest spring/ summer 2015 color trends defined by Pantone, there is still the biggest 2015 color of the year to be revealed!

For 2015, the Pantone color of the year has been proclaimed to be Marsala (Pantone 18-1438), which according to executive director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman, “enriches our mind, body, and soul, exuding confidence and stability… Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal while it’s grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness.” The occasion is being marked by the introduction of Marsala-hued wallets, of which 3 sizes are available already from Hobo. The reddish-brown shade is not quite the Adobe clay but certainly also not as deep as a brick color. It’s more of a wine color and it’s already been spotted on the runway within the spring 2015 collections, particularly in Dries Van Noten and Louis Vuitton. It is a great mix of bordeaux and brownish shades that has zest, personality and presents the wearer as ultra-chic.

Marsala is a color that has been previously described as symbolizing the strong innocence living within each woman, reflecting on her passion and grace at the same time while also presenting her as a classy individual whose attention is difficult to attain. It’s the color of a woman who is both confident and self-assured, and the clothing pieces by Daniel Silverstein, Creatures of the Wind, and others, who have also paired the hue with sandstone and classic blues, also both trending on the spring/summer 2015 runway catwalks.

There may be 50 shades of red but Marsala has been chosen and it certainly resembles the hue of the fames Marsala wine. It’s a total ‘90s throwback and certainly a gorgeous color that works well with the more muted tones we’ve been seeing for the pre-fall collections. We’re inclined to agree with Pantone’s claims that when it comes to graphic design, the customer will surely be drawn to the color as while it is attractive, it is certainly not overwhelming. There’s certain warmth in the calmness of the hue that would make it perfect for use with any type of product, digital or not.

When it comes to interior design, Marsala certainly does add elegance while not overpowering the space, while the enhancement of the hue on textured surfaces make it the ideal rug or upholstery color of choice. There couldn’t have been a better option for 2015’s Pantone Color of the Year selection.

Tamar is a psychologist, teaching and heading into the business world with a prospective MBA. A silly lover of books and words, she generally loves to seek out new adventures, getting her toes wet and her hands dirty. Having moved to Armenia nearly two years ago, she feels like the world is at her fingertips and anything is possible so long as you take a step in that direction.